Vientiane in an ancient era

Vientiane in an ancient era

(vientiane times) To salute the upcoming 450 year anniversary of the transfer of the Lao capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, we, Vientiane Times, would like to publish a series of stories related to the history of Laos

Humans first settled in the area of modern-day Laos more than 500,000 years ago. The first settlements were located on the Vientiane plain, starting from the foot of Phoukhaokhouy Mountain to Nonghane Noy in modern-day Udon Thani in Thailand, and an area stretching along the Mekong River from Xanakham district in Vientiane province to Pakxan in Borikhamxay province.

Pottery household utensils discovered in Laos and believed to date back around 2,000 years.

Archaeologists have discovered bones and agricultural tools made from copper, stone, clay and iron in Vangvieng and Xanakham districts in Vientiane province, in Naxaithong and Lao Pako along the Nam Ngum river, which is about 50 km from central Vientiane, and in Saphangmor village, Xaysettha district of Vientiane, and Xieng village in Udon Thani.

A study conducted by a large team of archaeologists has certified that the area's aboriginal people were of Austronesian origin, like the ancestors of modern-day Indonesians. They developed into the Laotheung (Khmu) group, including Veda, Lava, Cham, Cheuang and Khom, who were the first to settle in this area. Their descendants lived in the area for more than 4,000 years. Later the Lao-Tai people came to settle in the region for more than 2,000 years, with the latest arrivals the Mon (Thavaravady) who brought Buddhism to Laos.

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::Vientimes Times::